Abstract: Systems and methods for concentrating an analyte preparatory to analysis thereof include processing the effluent of an analyte concentrator to produce an eluent for eluting an analyte retained in the same or separate concentrator, and systems implementing the same. The analyte concentrator system connects the effluent outlet of an analyte concentrator column to an eluent generation module such that the substantially analyte-free effluent discharged from the analyte concentrator column passes fluidly into the eluent generation module. Eluent generated from the substantially analyte-free effluent in the eluent generation module is likewise substantially free of the analyte. The systems and methods can minimize and/or (substantially) eliminate background signal during analysis of the concentrated analyte.

Abstract: An example system for remote sensing of a road surface includes an antenna configured to transmit and receive radiofrequency (RF) signals, where the antenna is configured to attach to a front end of a vehicle; at least one radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag, where the at least one RFID tag is configured to attach to the front end of a vehicle; and an RFID reader, wherein the RFID reader is configured to: cause the antenna to transmit a radiofrequency signal toward a road surface, where the at least one RFID tag receives a backscattered RF signal from the road surface; receive, from the antenna, an RFID signal from the first RFID tag, the RFID signal comprising phase and magnitude information; and analyze the phase and magnitude information to determine a condition of the road surface.

Abstract: An extraction cell cap assembly allows for toolless disassembly. The assembly includes a cap body having a threaded base releasably engaged with a cell vessel, a support member extending axially upward from the base, and a bore axially extending through the support member. The assembly also includes a locking cap having a plunger slidably received within the bore, a recess disposed within the plunger, and a locking portion that releasably engages the support member. Rotation of the locking cap in a first direction engages the locking portion with the support member, and rotation in an opposite direction disengages the locking portion. A filter is received in the recess and a seal member received in the bore, wherein the seal member forms a fluid-tight seal between the cell vessel and the assembly when the locking portion and the support member are engaged and the assembly is secured to the cell vessel.

Abstract: A chromatography system includes an electrolytic eluent generator; a first valve configured to switch between an operating position which directs an output of the electrolytic eluent generator to a continuously generated trap column and a waste position which directs the output of the electrolytic eluent generator to waste; the continuously regenerated trap column; a degasser; a sample injector including a sample injector valve assembly, the sample injector valve assembly configured to switch between an operation mode which directs an output of the degasser to a separation column, a load mode which loads a sample onto the separation column, and a regenerant mode which directs the output of the degasser to a regenerant line; the separation column; a suppressor; and a detector.

Abstract: An extraction cell cap assembly allows for toolless disassembly. The assembly includes a cap body having a threaded base releasably engaged with a cell vessel, a support member extending axially upward from the base, and a bore axially extending through the support member. The assembly also includes a locking cap having a plunger slidably received within the bore, a recess disposed within the plunger, and a locking portion that releasably engages the support member. Rotation of the locking cap in a first direction engages the locking portion with the support member, and rotation in an opposite direction disengages the locking portion. A filter is received in the recess and a seal member received in the bore, wherein the seal member forms a fluid-tight seal between the cell vessel and the assembly when the locking portion and the support member are engaged and the assembly is secured to the cell vessel.

Abstract: Buffer generators are described based on electrodialytic devices. The methods of using these devices can generate buffers for diverse applications, including separations, e.g., HPLC and ion chromatography. Also provided are chromatographic devices including the buffer generators, generally located upstream from a chromatography column, sample injector valve or both.

Abstract: UV shielding bio-derived furanic polymers (BFP) and UV-shielding composite films containing BFP having another polymer of natural or synthetic origin at varying concentration with high thermal stability, mechanical stability and elasticity are prepared through solvent evaporation casting. A process for preparing BFP having varying physicochemical properties can be carried out via dehydration of various biomass saccharides in different solvents employing various catalysts. The resulting brown-colored films show excellent UV shielding in the region 200 nm to 400 nm and exhibit high optical transparency. The UV shielding efficiency of the film increases with an increase in its treatment temperature. The films are stable and durable in terms of mechanical stability and elasticity even after exposing to harsh conditions without affecting their UV-shielding efficiency.

Abstract: An ion chromatography system includes a separation column configured to separate components of a solution; a non-destructive detector; and a concentrator configured to capture components of a check standard after they leave the conductivity non-destructive detector; and release the components of the check standard to the separation column.

Abstract: A chromatography system includes an electrolytic eluent generator; a first valve configured to switch between an operating position which directs an output of the electrolytic eluent generator to a continuously generated trap column and a waste position which directs the output of the electrolytic eluent generator to waste; the continuously regenerated trap column; a degasser; a sample injector including a sample injector valve assembly, the sample injector valve assembly configured to switch between an operation mode which directs an output of the degasser to a separation column, a load mode which loads a sample onto the separation column, and a regenerant mode which directs the output of the degasser to a regenerant line; the separation column; a suppressor; and a detector.

Abstract: An ion source and ion recycle module includes an electrolyte reservoir, an eluent recovery chamber, and an ion exchange connector. The electrolyte reservoir includes a chamber containing an aqueous electrolyte solution including an electrolyte having a chamber inlet and a chamber outlet, and a first electrode. The chamber inlet is fluidically connected to a source chamber of an electrolytic eluent generator and configured to receive depleted electrolyte solution from the source chamber of the electrolytic eluent generator. The chamber outlet is fluidically connected to the source chamber of the electrolytic eluent generator and configured to provide recycled electrolyte solution to the electrolytic eluent generator source chamber. The eluent recovery chamber including a second electrode and configured to receive an eluent solution including eluent counter ions from the eluent generator; and the ion exchange connector including an ion exchange membrane stack.

Abstract: Buffer generators are described based on electrodialytic devices. The methods of using these devices can generate buffers for diverse applications, including separations, e.g., HPLC and ion chromatography. Also provided are chromatographic devices including the buffer generators, generally located upstream from a chromatography column, sample injector valve or both.

Abstract: Systems and methods for concentrating an analyte preparatory to analysis thereof include processing the effluent of an analyte concentrator to produce an eluent for eluting an analyte retained in the same or separate concentrator, and systems implementing the same. The analyte concentrator system connects the effluent outlet of an analyte concentrator column to an eluent generation module such that the substantially analyte-free effluent discharged from the analyte concentrator column passes fluidly into the eluent generation module. Eluent generated from the substantially analyte-free effluent in the eluent generation module is likewise substantially free of the analyte. The systems and methods can minimize and/or (substantially) eliminate background signal during analysis of the concentrated analyte.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprises a chamber, an inlet port, an outlet port, an electrode port, and a counter electrode. The inlet port is configured to allow flow of a liquid into the chamber and through an inlet opening toward the working electrode, and the outlet port is configured to allow flow of a liquid out of the chamber and through an outlet opening. The device is configured so that a force applied to the working electrode slides the first end face of the working electrode to a distance from a face of the inlet opening due to the balancing force of a fluid flowing out of the inlet opening. The device may be used in a method for analyzing an analyte, such as one or more amino acids in a liquid sample.

Abstract: A method, device, and system for removing a volatile component from a liquid solution for a chromatographic separation are described. The method includes the flowing of a liquid solution through a first chamber of the device. A volatile component in the liquid solution is transported across a first ion exchange barrier from the first chamber to a second chamber. The first ion exchange barrier has a first charge. The second chamber includes an ion exchange packing having a second charge that is an opposite polarity to the first charge. The volatile component reacts with the ion exchange packing to create a charged component in the second chamber. The charged component having a third charge that is a same polarity to the first charge. The ion exchange packing is regenerated by electrolytically generating a hydronium or a hydroxide.

Abstract: An ion source and ion recycle module includes an electrolyte reservoir, an eluent recovery chamber, and an ion exchange connector. The electrolyte reservoir includes a chamber containing an aqueous electrolyte solution including an electrolyte having a chamber inlet and a chamber outlet, and a first electrode. The chamber inlet is fluidically connected to a source chamber of an electrolytic eluent generator and configured to receive depleted electrolyte solution from the source chamber of the electrolytic eluent generator. The chamber outlet is fluidically connected to the source chamber of the electrolytic eluent generator and configured to provide recycled electrolyte solution to the electrolytic eluent generator source chamber. The eluent recovery chamber including a second electrode and configured to receive an eluent solution including eluent counter ions from the eluent generator; and the ion exchange connector including an ion exchange membrane stack.

Abstract: An extraction cell cap assembly allows for toolless disassembly. The assembly includes a cap body having a threaded base releasably engaged with a cell vessel, a support member extending axially upward from the base, and a bore axially extending through the support member. The assembly also includes a locking cap having a plunger slidably received within the bore, a recess disposed within the plunger, and a locking portion that releasably engages the support member. Rotation of the locking cap in a first direction engages the locking portion with the support member, and rotation in an opposite direction disengages the locking portion. A filter is received in the recess and a seal member received in the bore, wherein the seal member forms a fluid-tight seal between the cell vessel and the assembly when the locking portion and the support member are engaged and the assembly is secured to the cell vessel.

Abstract: A method of determining an identity of a first analyte in a sample is described that includes passing the first analyte through a chromatographic column and detecting a signal curve of the first analyte by a chromatographic detector, wherein the signal curve includes a peak profile of the first analyte. The peak profile is defined by a plurality of measured data points configured to plot onto a signal coordinate system. The method further includes normalizing the peak profile of the first analyte to form a normalized peak profile, wherein the normalized peak profile includes scaling the plurality of measured data points, and wherein the normalized peak profile is defined by a plurality of normalized data points configured to plot onto a normalized coordinate system, and comparing the normalized peak profile of the first analyte with a normalized peak profile of a second analyte.

Abstract: A suppressor for use in reducing a background signal while detecting analytes in a liquid sample for ion chromatography is described. The suppressor includes a central channel and two flanking regenerant channels. The central channel is formed with an eluent channel plate including a central cutout portion having a peripheral boundary portion. The peripheral boundary portion includes a recessed eluent plate height that is less than the eluent plate height. The peripheral boundary portion includes two or more notches or protrusions. An eluent screen is disposed in the central cutout portion, in which a peripheral border of the eluent screen has two or more corresponding notches or corresponding protrusions to the eluent channel plate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for concentrating an analyte preparatory to analysis thereof include processing the effluent of an analyte concentrator to produce an eluent for eluting an analyte retained in the same or separate concentrator, and systems implementing the same. The analyte concentrator system connects the effluent outlet of an analyte concentrator column to an eluent generation module such that the substantially analyte-free effluent discharged from the analyte concentrator column passes fluidly into the eluent generation module. Eluent generated from the substantially analyte-free effluent in the eluent generation module is likewise substantially free of the analyte. The systems and methods can minimize and/or (substantially) eliminate background signal during analysis of the concentrated analyte.

Abstract: Systems and methods for inhibiting translocation of ions across ion exchange barriers include an eluent generator having an ion source reservoir with a first electrode, an eluent generation chamber with a second electrode, an ion exchange barrier disposed therebetween, and means for reversing the polarity of a voltage or current applied across the first and second electrodes. A first polarity voltage or current applied across the electrodes generates an electric field that promotes translocation of eluent counter ions from the reservoir across the barrier, where the counter ions combine with eluent ions electrolytically generated in the chamber. By reversing the polarity of the voltage or current across the electrodes, the resulting electric field inhibits translocation of counter ions across the barrier from the reservoir into the chamber. Reverse voltage or current bias reduces counter ion concentration in the resting chamber to prevent exhaustion of ion suppressor capacity during start up.